Grilling Secrets That No One Else Is Telling You

Everyone knows that grilling is the most delicious way of preparing food. You just can't get that smoky flavor in an oven or from a frying pan. But if you already have a grill, you might want to know these grilling secrets, which will put you in front of everyone else and ensure that your cookouts are legendary.

Start the Coals Without Lighter Fluid

Did you know that the residue from the lighter fluid you use to start your coals ends up on your food eventually? This is especially true if you have to douse them a few times to get the fire going. In order to avoid getting that chemical taste in your food, use a chimney starter. They are relatively cheap and will save you money on fluid in the long run. You simply crumple up some newspaper underneath the chimney, fill up with charcoal, and light. It always gets going on the first try and your coal is ready to cook much faster than if you were using the traditional pyramid method.

Add More Smoky Flavor

Grilling leaves a distinct taste due to the smoke involved, but you can intensify that flavor and add more depth to it by adding wood chips to your grill. Some great ones to try include mesquite, hickory, apple, and cherry. Soak the chips in water at least 15 minutes and toss directly on the coal just before throwing the meat on. This will give you an excellent smoky flavor that will stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Use "The Thumb Test" to Determine When Your Steak Is Done

We all know how depressing it is to overcook the steak, and how difficult it is to determine when it is actually done without needing to cut into it. The best method to test whether a steak is done or not is by touch. A rare steak has a different elasticity to it than a medium steak and so on.

You can mimic these different elasticities by touching the fleshy mound at the base of your thumb and making a ring with the tip of your thumb and different fingertips of the same hand. The closer you get to your pinkie, the more this muscle flexes and the firmer it becomes, just like cooking a steak more! Here is the key:

• Open palm: rare
• Index finger: medium rare
• Middle finger: medium
• Ring finger: medium well
• Pinkie: well

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